What it takes to podcast<\/strong><\/p>\nPodcasting can be an incredibly cheap endeavor, most people likely already own the bare essentials, or it can be an expensive enterprise.<\/p>\n
Hill uses his phone to upload and record conversations, while others have invested hundred, if not thousands, into recording equipment, cameras and editing software.<\/p>\n
Ojard said his setup, which includes a soundboard, microphone, computer, cellphones and tripod probably cost him $200 or less to create.<\/p>\n
The “End of the Road” podcasters said at least $800 has gone in to their rig.<\/p>\n
“I’ve always had this interest in equipment, if it’s new and shiny I’ve got to have it,” Kingpin said.<\/p>\n
Equipment to capture the audio or video is only a piece of the puzzle.<\/p>\n
Next comes the editing process, which can vary in its thoroughness and be done with a number of products.<\/p>\n
Eddy had experience with GarageBand, so that’s what he uses, Ojard uses the free but more simplistic Audacity program, and the “End of the Road” guys use Adobe’s Audition.<\/p>\n
Video editing tends to be more time consuming than editing audio, podcasters said.<\/p>\n
After editing, podcasts can then be shared through many different platforms.<\/p>\n
Stitcher, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and SoundCloud are all popular options.<\/p>\n
Rather than working to get a podcast on each individual service, podcasters use applications to distribute their podcasts.<\/p>\n
“Anchor is this wonderful app, where once you load your podcast to that, it will work to get it on other platforms,” Ojard said.<\/p>\n
Figuring out how to make a competent looking and sounding product has a learning curve but also rewarding, Eddy said.<\/p>\n
“Every new thing I learn is a dopamine rush like I unlocked a new level,” Eddy said.<\/p>\n
Knowing your audience and guests<\/strong><\/p>\n“The other thing is where does your audience live,” Ojard said.<\/p>\n
Juneau’s podcasters said the No.1 platform for podcasts isn’t Stitcher, iTunes or any other dedicated audio medium.<\/p>\n
They said social media — especially Facebook — tends to be where their audiences listen or watch podcasts.<\/p>\n
About 8,200 people like the End of the Road Facebook page. <\/p>\n
Ojard said he’s tried to tailor some of his output to be most appealing on Facebook.<\/p>\n
He shoots videos vertically because that’s how they’ll probably be viewed when people are scrolling through their social media feeds.<\/p>\n
While Juneau is geographically isolated, podcasters said they haven’t found it difficult to book guests or for folks to be especially reticent when approached about talking into a mic.<\/p>\n
“It really depends,” Ojard said. I’ve had the opportunity of interviewing a lot of people between ‘The Streets of Juneau’ and the radio. There are some people who are very comfortable in video and not at all comfortable in audio. The one thing that connects all those people is that they’re really physically attractive. I think people just have natural ways in which they’re comfortable expressing themselves.”<\/p>\n
The “End of the Road” guys said their willingness to share strong opinions on contentious topics means there’s usually not a shortage of people willing to talk to them.<\/p>\n
In Eddy’s case, technology and travel go a long way toward securing guests for “The Cardboard Herald.” Recording Skype calls is especially useful.<\/p>\n
However, time can still be an obstacle.<\/p>\n
“When you’re interviewing people in France, Germany or elsewhere, it becomes challenging,” Eddy said.<\/p>\n
Advice for beginners<\/strong><\/p>\nThose thinking of starting a podcast should consider what they’re hoping to communicate before pressing the record button.<\/p>\n
“Think about — before the pristine audio quality, the perfect editing — think what is the core idea that someone might be interested in listening to,” Eddy said.<\/p>\n
However, a willingness to adapt is important too as evidenced by the shifting format of “The Cardboard Herald,” and “The End of the Road.”<\/p>\n
Other podcasters stressed the importance of resilience.<\/p>\n
Ojard said managing expectations and outlook to appreciate even the smallest audiences is important.<\/p>\n
“You have to understand the value of one audience member,” Ojard said. “We get so lost in either hitting 100 views or 1,000 views or a million or what have you that we forget each of those views is a person and the relationship that can be built there.”<\/p>\n
The “End of the Road” hosts preached resistance to discouraging developments and being willing to start from scratch if necessary.<\/p>\n
“Don’t give up,” Kingpin said. “Even if you have to retool and start again with a new name and a new logo and kind of a new idea, don’t give up. There’s always somebody out there who’s willing to listen to you.”<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com.<\/b><\/p>\n
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